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NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Local officials in New Rochelle are moving forward with a multi-million dollar plan that involves converting two of the city's most prominent roadways from one-way to two-way operation downtown.

Earlier this year, officials
presented the community
with a proposed project and solicited comments from the public regarding the proposal to convert Main Street and Huguenot Street to two-way operation to “create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly downtown area.”

According to officials, as part of the project, they’re planning to design improvements to traffic signal equipment on those two roads, with the project potentially replacing existing mast arms, span wiring, controllers, signal heads, and improving pedestrian facilities within the project limits. The proposal also calls for ADA compliant concrete sidewalks, curbing and handicapped-accessible ramps.

It will be the first time traffic will flow in both directions on those roadways since 1951.

When completed, some on-street parking will be lost, though consultants Nelson/Nygaard and AKRF have stated that the change will reduce gridlock in the area and help traffic flow more smoothly in downtown New Rochelle.

As the CIty Council moves forward with the proposal, the plan has come under fire from local residents. According to a Twitter
poll
from the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, 74 percent of 82 voters do not support two-way traffic downtown.